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Effects of antiviral medications on herpetic epithelial keratitis in mice

  • Laboratory Investigation
  • Published:
Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Aciclovir (ACV), valaciclovir (VACV) and famciclovir (FCV) are used for systemic infections caused by herpes virus. In Japan, only topical ACV is permitted for use against herpetic keratitis. We investigated the effectiveness of topical ACV, oral VACV and oral FCV on mouse epithelial herpetic keratitis.

Methods

C57/BL76 mice were inoculated with HSV-1 McKrae strain in the cornea. Once infection was confirmed 4 days after inoculation, topical ACV, oral VACV and FCV were started and administered for 5 days. Control groups were given either topical or oral saline. On days 2, 4, 6 and 10 after medication started, tears, eyeballs, and trigeminal ganglia were examined using viral culture and real-time PCR.

Results

Viral culture of tears detected no HSV in the topical ACV group on day 4 after administration start; with similar results for the oral VACV group on day 4; and the oral FCV group on day 6. Real-time PCR of the eyeballs showed significant decrease of HSV DNA copy number in the topical ACV group on days 4 and 6 compared to the topical saline group. Real-time PCR of the trigeminal ganglia showed significant decrease of HSV DNA copy number in the oral VACV group on days 4 and 6, and in the oral FCV group on day 6 compared to the oral saline group.

Conclusion

We suggest that 5-day administration of topical ACV, oral VACV and oral FCV are effective for mouse epithelial herpetic keratitis and sufficiently decrease HSV amounts in the ocular surface and eyeballs.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Ms. Yukiko Mimuro for her editing of the manuscript and Ms. Mayumi Mizuno for her technical assistance.

Conflicts of interest

S. Komoto, None; S. Higaki, None; M. Fukuda, None; Y. Shimomura, None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, 377-2 Ono-Higashi, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan

    Shohei Komoto, Masahiko Fukuda & Yoshikazu Shimomura

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Sakai Hospital, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, 2-7-1, Harayamadai, Minami Ward, Sakai, Osaka, 590-0132, Japan

    Shiro Higaki

Authors
  1. Shohei Komoto
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  2. Shiro Higaki
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  3. Masahiko Fukuda
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  4. Yoshikazu Shimomura
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shiro Higaki.

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Komoto, S., Higaki, S., Fukuda, M. et al. Effects of antiviral medications on herpetic epithelial keratitis in mice. Jpn J Ophthalmol 59, 194–200 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-015-0375-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-015-0375-3

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